Thursday night dinner in/around Napa

[cmartink]

My parents and I have decided to take a post-graduation trip out to California. We were able to get Wednesday night reservations at The French Laundry, and after looking at these boards decided to check out Bottega on Friday night. Thursday during the day we will be doing wine tasting (going to Shafer and Domain Chandon, with a possible 3rd stop at Pine Ridge) and I am hoping to get some advice/thoughts from you all as to where to go for dinner that night. We've never done wine tasting before, especially of this caliber, so recs for dinner (how hungry will we be, etc.) would be much appreciated!!

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The French Laundry
6640 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599

Bottega
6525 Washington Street Suite A9, Yountville, CA 94599

[jaimecouchon]

I would suggest Go Fish or Farmstead in St. Helena, both very different and current for our valley. We love Bottega but eat most often at Cook St. Helena. Hard to go really wrong up here. Enjoy!

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Go Fish
641 Main St, St. Helena, CA 94574

Bottega
6525 Washington Street Suite A9, Yountville, CA 94599

[wincountrygirl]

We just returned from our week in the valley. We were underwhelmed with Bottega - lots of hype and lots of activity but I've had better. Went to Cook for lunch - outstanding. Loved Cantinetta Piero, Martini House and the food, if not the atmosphere at Redd. Don't laugh, but we had a very good easy dinner one night at the Rutherford Grill - a really good prime rib! And, can't forget the best breakfast in the valley - the Gillwoods. The home made breads are amazing!

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Martini House
1245 Spring St., St. Helena, CA 94574

Rutherford Grill
1180 Rutherford Rd, Napa, CA 94558

Bottega
6525 Washington Street Suite A9, Yountville, CA 94599

Gillwoods Cafe
1320 Napa Town Ctr, Napa, CA 94559

[ecmp0807]

I am having my wedding at Solage Calistoga and we just had our tasting - the food was all from the restaurant SolBar and it was amazing! Living in NYC, I've been lucky to have a lot of good food in my life so I had low expectations. SolBar recently got a Michelin star too!

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Solage Calistoga
755 Silverado Trail, Calistoga, CA 94515

[vulber]

I haven't been to Ubuntu since the chef change, but reports seem to indicate that the quality has remained high.

Of course, if your'e going to Domaine Chandon, you might want to consider eating at the restaurant there, Etoile, which received a Michelin star and 3.5-star rating (from the Chronicle) under its new chef. I haven't been though. Ubuntu could provide a better contrast though; while of course no restaurant is like the French Laundry, the cuisine at Etoile will be more similar than the cuisine at Ubuntu.

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Ubuntu Restaurant & Yoga Studio
1140 Main Street, Napa, CA 94558

The French Laundry
6640 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599

[bbulkow]

I think TFL -> Ubuntu is an awesome compare and contrast, as Ubuntu is super seasonal and fresh but in a 100% different way.

Michelan has good coverage in wine country, so if you want a similar over-the-top the 1 and 2 stars provide, then it's a matter of calling for reservations. I would make sure not to do a keller/keller day though - seek something else out.

Regarding how hungry you'll be - TFL doesn't stuff you. You'll be pleasantly full. Consider wine until about 5 when everything closes, back to your hotel for a little layabout, then get a dinner res as late as you think you can manage (like 8) but not too late that the time change catches up with you.

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Ubuntu Restaurant & Yoga Studio
1140 Main Street, Napa, CA 94558

[openhelix]

I'm probably going to be an outlier here, but I suggest Meadowood. Kostow did an amazing job at Chez Tj in mtn view and his food at Meadowood reflects the same farm-to-table style.

I haven't been impressed with Bottega, then again after hearing the stories about Chiarello in the kitchen from a friend that worked at Bottega, I doubt I'd be back under any circumstances.

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Bottega
6525 Washington Street Suite A9, Yountville, CA 94599

[vulber]

oh, you must elaborate!

[emn76]

I agree with you openhelix, we weren't impressed with Bottega either. It's been a while but we still mention every now and again what an average meal we had.

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Bottega
6525 Washington Street Suite A9, Yountville, CA 94599

[wincountrygirl]

The Restaurant at the Meadowood is amazing. We are visiting from NY next week and will go there to celebrate our 20th anniversary. Also checking out Bottega. Another good place is Martini House in St. Helena.

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Martini House
1245 Spring St., St. Helena, CA 94574

Bottega
6525 Washington Street Suite A9, Yountville, CA 94599